Red River drops below major flood stage in F-M

The Red River dropped below major flood stage early Thursday in Fargo-Moorhead, after posting its seventh-highest crest on record on March 21.

The river fell to 29.99 feet at 3:45 a.m., bringing it down to moderate flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.

Moderate flood stage is 25 feet, and major flood stage is 30 feet.

The Red crested at 36.99 feet on March 21, just below the next-highest crest of 37.13 feet on April 5, 2006.

The record crest was set last year at 40.84 feet on March 28.

The weather service predicts the river will continue to drop over the next week, reaching minor flood stage sometime late Wednesday or Thursday.

A contractor will begin removing the clay levee on Second Street North in front of Fargo City Hall today. Crews will then remove levees on Second Street in front of the High Rise and on Oak Street at Eighth Avenue North.